Machines for binding packets of perforated sheets

ABSTRACT

A machine for binding packets of perforated sheets to book form with wire binding elements of the type comprising a series of curved &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;hair-pin&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; shaped prongs on which the sheets are impaled and which are brought to ring shaped by bringing their closed ends or &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;points&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; into the vicinity of their open ends or &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;roots,&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; wherein a reception station is provided for the binding element to which a strip of formed binding wire of the kind set forth and which is in the open position may be fed in the direction of its length and at which there is a cutter movable transversely to cut a predetermined length of the strip and including means for conveying the cut lengths of binding element from the reception station to a binding station at which means are provided for closing the prongs of the element through the perforations of a packet of sheets to be bound.

United States Patent [191 Adams et al.

[451 May 20, 1975 MACHINES FOR BINDING PACKETS OF PERFORATED SHEETS [75] Inventors: Sidney George William Adams,

Walton-on-Thames; Edgar Horace Galliford, Esher, both of England [73] Assignee: James Burn Bindings Limited,

Esher, Surrey, England [22] Filed: Jan. 21, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 434,989

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Jan. 23, 1973 United Kingdom 3499/73 [52] US. Cl 11/1 A [51] Int. Cl. B42c 5/12; B42c 19/00 [58] Field of Search 11/1 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,334,918 8/1967 Pigna et al. 11/1 A X 3,451,081 6/1969 Liouville..... 3,555,587 1/1971 Seaborn l1/l A 3,667,076 6/1972 Aglaghanian 11]] A Primary ExaminerLawrence Charles Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Wood, Herron & Evans 5 7 ABSTRACT A machine for binding packets of perforated sheets to book form with wire binding elements of the type comprising a series of curved hair-pin shaped prongs on which the sheets are impaled and which are brought to ring shaped by bringing their closed ends or points into the vicinity of their open ends or roots, wherein a reception station is provided for the binding element to which a strip of formed binding wire of the kind set forth and which is in the open position may be fed in the direction of its length and at which there is a cutter movable transversely to cut a predetermined length of the strip and including means for conveyingthe cut lengths of binding element from the reception station to a binding station at which means are provided for closing the prongs of the element through the perforations of a packet of sheets to be bound.

2 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED HAYZBIQTS 7%. 883,916

sum 0: 3

MACHINES FOR BINDING PACKETS OF PERFORATED SHEETS This invention relates to machines for binding packets of perforated sheets tobook form with wire binding elements each formed from a length of metal wire bent to form a series of curved hairpin-shaped prongs on which the sheets are impaled and which are brought to ring shape by bringing their closed ends or points" into the vicinity of their open ends or roots. Such machines will be referred to herein as machines of the kind set forth."

When it is in the condition in which the impaling of the sheets on its prongs is effected, the binding wire is in the form of a tube having a slot in its wall extending over its whole length. In that condition the formed binding wire will be said to be open; in its final condition in which the slot is closed, it will be said to be closed."

One of the problems which is encountered in binding machines of the kind set forth is to bring a continuous strip of formed binding wire in the open position from a source of supply to a binding station at which a desired and adjustable length of binding element which has been cut from the continuous strip is offered to the prong closing means in the right position and attitude i.e., with the slot appropriately directed. This is because of the nature of the formed strip which makes it difficult to handle them mechanically when in the open condition and because of imperfections of shape.

A machine of the kind set forth in accordance with the invention comprises a reception station for the binding elements to which a strip of formed binding wire of the kind set forth and which is in the open posi tion may be fed in the direction of its length and at which there is a cutter movable transversely to cut a predetermined length of the strip and including means for conveying the cut lengths of binding element from the reception station to a binding station at which means are provided for closing the prongs of the element through the perforations of a packet of sheets to be bound.

The strip of formed binding wire is preferably fed to the reception station by a chain the links of which are provided with projecting members which engage between prongs of the wire. Thus the strip is held posi tively with the prongs in a correct position during its progress to the reception station. When a predetermined length of strip has been fed to the reception station the chain drive pauses to allow the cutter to cut a predetermined length from the strip. The cut length may then be pushed over a guide formed with ribs to engage between prongs to a movable bar which may be provided with magnets to transfer the strip to the binding station. A suitable transfer mechanism is described in our U.S. Pat. No. 3,45l,08l.

The advantage of the machine of this invention is that predetermined lengths of binding element are cut from a strip so that prc-cut lengths do not have to be fed into a hopper of the machine. Equally, the length of the cut elements can be easily adjusted merely by altering the feed period of the strip from the supply to the reception station. The elements are held properly aligned and positioned throughout the feed, cutting, transfer and binding operations.

A method of binding perforated packets of sheets with a binding element of the type described in accordance with the invention comprises intermittently feeding a strip of formed binding wire in the direction of its length to a reception station, cutting a predetermined length of the element from the strip transferring the cut length transversely of its length to a binding station and closing the prongs of the element through the perforations of a perforated packet of sheets.

Preferably the feed of the strip and operation of the cutter is controlled by a counter which operates to stop the feed drive when a predetermined length of element has been fed to the reception station.

An example of a machine in accordance with the invention is shown somewhat diagramatically in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a length of binding material from which binding elements for use in the machine are made;

FIG. 2 shows that material bent to the open form in which it is used in the machine;

FIG. 3 is a plan of machine showing diagrammatically the various parts thereof; and

FIGS. 4-6 are diagrams of the reception station of the machine showing three stages of a machine cycle.

FIG. 1 shows a length of steel wire bent to form a band comprising a series of straight hairpin-shaped prongs 10 having closed ends or points 12 and open ends or roots 14, the prongs at their roots being connected to their neighbours by straight portions 15. To enable such a band to be used for binding packets of perforated sheets to book form, the prongs are brought to the curved shape shown in FIG. 2 in which, in end view, thay have two approximately semi-circular portions giving them the general shape of a figure 3. The band is thus converted into a tube having in its wall a longitudinal slot 16 extending over its whole length from which can be cut to form elements for binding packets of perforated sheets, lengths appropriate to the size of the sheets.

The binding operation comprises impaling the perforated sheets on the curved prongs and bringing the points 12 of the prongs into the vicinity of their roots. The latter operation is assisted by the kink .17 in the prongs but the kink is not essential, i.e. the prongs can be C-shaped.

A continuous strip of such binding wire in the open state is supplied to the machine wound on a reel 18 (see FIG. 3). The reel is mounted on four driven rollers 20 and the strip 22 of the binding wire is fed from the reel over a balance tray 24 or counterbalanced arms running generally parallel to the length of the element, to be engaged by projections 26 (see FIGS. 4-6) one extending up from the link of an endless chain 28. Each projection engages between two semi-bent prongs 10 at the base thereof opposite the slot 16 so that the element lies on its back with the slot facing upwardly.

The chain 28 is rotated intermittently by a drive motor (not shown) through a drive pulley 30, magnetic clutch 32 and drive wheel 34, to pull the strip 22 along a horizontal table 36 (not shown in FIG. 1) to a reception station A.

When the chain 28 has pulled the loop of strip extending from the reel, taut, the strip is pulled from the balance tray 24 which then pivots upwardly to close a micro-switch 38 to start the drive for the reel pulleys 20. A further length of strip is then unwound from the reel until it again lays on the tray depressing this to stop the reel drive motor.

When a predetermined length of strip has been fed to the reception station the chain drive is stopped. This is achieved by a disc 40 carried by the spindle of the wheel 34 angular movement of which is counted by a counter (not shown) receiving signals from a light cell or proximity switch 42. When the predetermined number of signals has been received the counter operates a magnetic clutch 32 so that this no longer transmits a drive to the sprocket 34. As it is important that an exact length of element is fed for each forward movement of the chain an index wheel 44 is also carried by the shaft of the chain drive wheel which co-operates with a pawl 46. Thus the chain stops after an exact number of links and hence prongs of the binding element, have been fed forward.

At the inlet side of the reception station A a cutter versely across the path of the binding element from the position shown in FIG. 4 to that shown in FIG. 5 to cut in co-operation with a fixed cutter 52 a length L of binding element from the continuous strip, the length being predetermined to fit the package of perforated sheets to be bound.

When the element of length L has been cut off it is pushed transversely by a pusher bar 54, also carried by the bar 50, off the projections 26 of the chain 28 onto a guide 56 formed with ribs 58 which engage between the prongs of the binding element to hold this correctly in alignment on its back. From the guide 56 the element is further pushed onto a carrier bar 60 carried on a pivotal arm 62 and provided with magnetic elements 64 and ribs 66. a

As can be seen in FIG. 5 the carrier bar 60 is aligned with the guide 56 and the ribs 66 of the carrier are aligned with the ribs 58 of the guide so that the element L is transferred accurately on its back with the ribs 60 engaging between the prongs of the element. The magnets 64 hold the element firmly onto the carrier.

In this position (shown in FIG. 5) the element is acted on by arectifying tool 68 (described in detail in the specification of our U.S. Pat. No. 3,451,081 which descends accurately and finally to align the element and to open the slot 16 to an exact extent.

The arm 58 is then pivotted to turn the bar 60 and element which is held by magnets 64 through 90 (see FIG. 6) to a binding station B at which it is closed by a pair of closing tools 70 (described in detail in the specification of our U.S. Pat. No. 3,451,051 with the prongs extending through the perforations of a stack of sheets 70 fed between the tools by clamps 72.

As the carrier bar moves forward to transfer the length L of element to the binding station, the cutter and pusher bar are withdrawn and the drive motor for the chain is re-started to feed a further length of the strip of binding element into the reception station.

The binding element is kept closely under control throughout its feed, firstly by the projections 26 on the feed chain 28 and then by the ridges 58 and 64 on the guide 56 and carrier bar 60. Thus it is fed properly aligned with the perforations in the package of sheets to be bound.

If it is desired to bind a different package then the length L of the binding element can easily be altered by adjustment of the counter receiving signals from the cell 42 so that the period of chain movement between pauses is varied, and it will be noted that the pusher bar and guides and the receiving station A are long enough to accomodate a much larger binding element than is shown in the drawings.

We claim:

1. A machine for binding packets of perforated sheets or books with wire binding elements of the kind having a'series of curved prongs on which the sheets are impaled before the prongs are closed to ring-shape by bringing their points into the vicinity of their roots, said machine comprising an endless chain adapted to interengage a continuous strip of said binding element for delivering said continuous strip to a reception station,

a cutter head located at said reception station for cutting predetermined lengths of said binding element from said continuous strip,

intermittent drive means connected with said endless chain, said intermittent drive means stopping said endless chain after a predetermined length of said continuous strip has been fed into said reception station and starting said endless chain after said predetermined length has been removed from said reception station, thereby intermittently delivering said continuous strip into said reception station,

sensor means interconnected with said intermittent drive means and said cutter head, said sensor means causing said intermittent drive means to stop and activating said cutter head upon sensing a predetermined length of said continuous strip within said reception station,

transfer means adapted to move on a path transverse to the length of said continuous strip between a first position adjacent said reception station and a second position adjacent a binding station, said transfer means including a series of guide ribs oriented transverse to the direction path of said continuous strip into said reception station, and including magnet means for retaining said wire binding element in operational relation therewith during transfer, and

pusher means adjacent said reception station and said transfer means, said pusher means including a plurality of nonmovable ribs oriented transverse to the direction path of said continuous strip and in line with said guide ribs, said transfer means and said pusher means cooperating to move a predetermined length of said continuous strip along a path transverse to its length onto said transfer means while retaining that continuous strip in desired position relative to the binding station.

2. A machine as set forth in claim 1, said machine further comprising projecting members mounted throughout the length of said endless chain, said projecting members cooperating with said continuous strip to deliver said continuous strip in desired position relative to said reception station. 

1. A machine for binding packets of perforated sheets or books with wire binding elements of the kind having a series of curved prongs on which the sHeets are impaled before the prongs are closed to ring-shape by bringing their points into the vicinity of their roots, said machine comprising an endless chain adapted to interengage a continuous strip of said binding element for delivering said continuous strip to a reception station, a cutter head located at said reception station for cutting predetermined lengths of said binding element from said continuous strip, intermittent drive means connected with said endless chain, said intermittent drive means stopping said endless chain after a predetermined length of said continuous strip has been fed into said reception station and starting said endless chain after said predetermined length has been removed from said reception station, thereby intermittently delivering said continuous strip into said reception station, sensor means interconnected with said intermittent drive means and said cutter head, said sensor means causing said intermittent drive means to stop and activating said cutter head upon sensing a predetermined length of said continuous strip within said reception station, transfer means adapted to move on a path transverse to the length of said continuous strip between a first position adjacent said reception station and a second position adjacent a binding station, said transfer means including a series of guide ribs oriented transverse to the direction path of said continuous strip into said reception station, and including magnet means for retaining said wire binding element in operational relation therewith during transfer, and pusher means adjacent said reception station and said transfer means, said pusher means including a plurality of nonmovable ribs oriented transverse to the direction path of said continuous strip and in line with said guide ribs, said transfer means and said pusher means cooperating to move a predetermined length of said continuous strip along a path transverse to its length onto said transfer means while retaining that continuous strip in desired position relative to the binding station.
 2. A machine as set forth in claim 1, said machine further comprising projecting members mounted throughout the length of said endless chain, said projecting members cooperating with said continuous strip to deliver said continuous strip in desired position relative to said reception station. 